With the 2014 Summer season just around the corner, theme parks will be standing tall this season. and not just in the metaphorical sense of proudly displaying their shiny, brand-spanking new rides. We’re talking about literally standing tall with coasters and other crazy contraptions that will reach absurd heights and make even the most steely-nerved daredevils quiver with fear. The most anticipated ride of 2014, however, will take Potterphiles deep underground for a face-to-(noseless) face encounter with “he who must not be named.”

10. New England SkyScreamer at Six Flags New England (Agawam, MA): What makes this ride unique, is that at 400 feet above the ground, it will be the world’s tallest swing ride.

9. Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens (Tampa, FL): Rising 335 feet into the air and freefalling back down at 60mph is intense enough, but the seats on the first-of-its-kind ride will tilt 90 degrees at the top of the tower so that passengers will be facing straight down before they plummet. Yikes!!

8. Zumanjaro: Drop Of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson, NJ): This NJ park already has the world’s tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. By piggybacking onto the coaster’s top hat tower, it will also boast the world’s tallest drop ride. Could you handle a 400-foot drop at 90 mph? Double Yikes!!

7. ThunderBolt At Luna Park, Coney Island (Brooklyn, NY): Its name may conjure memories of the classic wooden coaster that once graced Coney Island, but with its novel elevator lift tower and other decidedly modern touches, the new ThunderBolt will make its own waves at the seaside amusement area.

6. FireChaser Express at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN): It only chugs along at 35 mph, which makes it accessible to all but the wimpiest of visitors. But the coaster, which features two launches — one forwards and one backwards — nonetheless packs a fiery punch and includes a cute theme.

5. Banshee at King’s Island (Mason, OH): With a ride time of 2:40 and the track length of 4124 feet, Banshee is the world’s longest inverted coaster and is getting rave reviews from ride fans.

4. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem at Universal Studios Hollywood (Los Angeles, CA): The supremely silly characters from the popular movie bring their supercharged antics to an engaging 4-D ride film. It’s loaded with laughs, and like the movies, includes some surprisingly touching moments as well.

3. Goliath at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL): The anticipation is high for Goliath, which will boast a 180 foot, 85 degree drop and a top speed of 72 mph, which will make it the world’s tallest, fastest and steepest wooden coaster ride.

2. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (Lake Buena Vista, FL): It’s both a mildly thrilling coaster with a unique cradle design that allows the cars to swing back and forth and a compelling “dark ride” that takes guests into the colorful mine to see the Seven Dwarfs at work. The animated characters are particularly stunning in the attraction, which is the capstone of the park’s New Fantasyland expansion.

1. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express at Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, FL): Universal is promising a mind-blowing, next-generation ride experience in its second Potter-themed land. The coaster will use immersive 3-D imagery to take visitors to the subterranean netherworld under the Gringotts bank where they will face off against fire-breathing dragons and the villain to end all villains, Lord Voldemort. Getting to the new Dragon Alley land will be nearly as much fun, as the Hogwarts Express will shuttle muggles from the original Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade on a tricked-out, effects-packed, vintage steam train.

Don’t let this 2014 Summer season slip away without trying at least one of these new theme park rides! Let us make it happen for you! Please call Bargain Travel at 1-800-820-4567 or send us a land package request quote form and allow us to book your next fun-filled theme park vacation!!